Generation Anthropocene

It's our 50th episode! To celebrate we sit down with four members of the Anthropocene Working Group: the scientists and experts who are deciding whether or not we formally adopt the Anthropocene into the geologic time table. We discuss what makes the Anthropocene boundary different from all of the other boundaries in geologic history, how they deal with the increased public attention to this particular boundary, and some cultural ripple effects of the Anthropocene dealing with the Law of the Sea. As we wrap up, the Generation Anthropocene producers take a minute to reflect on all of the rapid changes we've witnessed over the past 50 episodes.

Ship's captain turned researcher, Austin Becker, looks to the future for how ports will respond to sea level rise. He explains the importance of ports for world trade, the time horizons for port planning, and the plans to brace for rising seas (or lack thereof).

Filmmaker Graham Meriwether sits down with Leslie to discuss his new documentary American Meat: A Leave It Better Story that investigates the current condition of the meat production industry in the States. He explains the importance of focusing on the farmers and why he's optimistic about the future of farming. After the interview, Leslie had to call Graham back to discuss an unusual situation that developed during a screening of his film on the Stanford University campus.

Mountaineer and social entrepreneur Tom Bowman starts us off with a story of survival. With some help from producers Miles Traer and Leslie Chang, Tom explains how survival literature can provide lessons for confronting some of the changes we're experiencing in the Anthropocene.

In this interview, Dr. Peter Haff of Duke sits down with Mike (and Mike sits down with Leslie) to explain the Technosphere. We learn that technology is emerging as a geologic force, what that means for the future of the planet, and how geologic perspectives are being reshaped in the Anthropocene.

One month after the Mayan apocalypse of 2012, the Generation Anthropocene team of Leslie Chang, Mike Osborne, and Miles Traer chat about the relations between the Anthropocene and apocalyptic pop-culture stories. Mike reveals the apocalyptic history of the podcast, Miles explains how he thinks the narrative of apocalypse has changed in the shadow of the Anthropocene, and Leslie does her best to keep them both on the rails instead of discussing zombies... again.

Climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe discusses her Christianity in the context of her academic career... and her marriage to a one time climate skeptic. She also reflects on whether or not the Anthropocene might have begun with Adam & Eve's exodus from the Garden of Eden.

Astrobiologist David Grinspoon takes the anthropocene off-planet to our nearest cosmic neighbor Venus and discusses what we learn about climate change here on Earth from Venus' catastrophic green-house effect. He also takes some time to address George Carlin's environmental philosophy and talk about his childhood friend and mentor, Carl Sagan.

We start off 2013 with Kevin Hearle, who performs two poems from his collection Each Thing We Know Is Changed Because We Know It and Other Poems. His poems reflect on the rapid cultural and environmental changes that occurred in Southern California in the 20th century as the state was flooded with newcomers from the East coast and the Midwest. Kevin also discusses the life of a poet, which for him has involved quite a few peanut butter sandwiches.

It's the end of 2012, and producers Mike Osborne, Leslie Chang, and Miles Traer get together to chat about the past year of Generation Anthropocene. We rehash some of our favorite interviews, off-mic moments, and Mike's world-renowned dancing skills. Happy holidays everyone, and thank you so much for listening!

Climate scientist and MacArthur genius Ben Santer takes us back in time to 1995 to a key turning point in the history of climate change science. He reflects on the second IPCC report and the moment he realized the political stakes of global warming. He also discusses the origin of the historic statement, "The balance of evidence suggests a discernible human influence on global climate."

Drift into the stratosphere as environmental engineer Granger Morgan explains how to use aerosols to control climate change and why he calls this a bit of a Faustian bargain. He also discusses what position the States would have to find itself in to actually do this as he builds to the terrifying realization that an individual (or a nation for that matter) with a few billion dollars could make the unilateral decision to go ahead and change the climate.

Evolutionary biologist Marcus Feldman uses DNA to understand early human migration out of Africa. In this interview, we learn the utility of language, how and why early humans spread to all continents, and the idea that people still don't "have it in their heads" just how similar we all are.

In 1968, the Saturn V rocket pushed the frontier 250,000 miles (400,000 km) to the moon. Now, in 2012, Curiosity has moved the frontier 1,000 times farther. Planetary geologist and member of the Mars Curiosity science team Ken Herkenhoff recounts the dicey "seven minutes of terror," discusses the incredible technology on the rover, and what we've learned in the short time Curiosity has been on the Martian surface. He also addresses the cultural significance of space exploration and why NASA and the USGS refer to Curiosity as "her."

Co-founder of the Local Food Lab Krysia Zajonc makes her case for the crucial role of business within the sustainable food movement. She also talks about the seeds of her business germinating in Costa Rica, some of the startups growing out of Local Food Lab, and takes time to address some of the frustrations people have with sustainable food.